In preparation for the dispatch of federal officials to New Orleans by the Trump administration, a local resident has expressed concern that the city authorities have not given enough attention to the issue of crime over the years.
The resident’s mother lost her life in a carjacking incident in New Orleans in 2018.
According to FOX 8, in November 2018, 18-year-old Jontrell Robinson and 19-year-old Edwin Cottrell attempted to carjack 49-year-old Jeannot Plessy, resulting in her death. The mother was on her way to pick up her granddaughter at the time.
Robinson pushed Plessy out of the car, then got behind the wheel while Cottrell and several other teenagers waited nearby in another stolen van. Plessy’s 33-year-old son-in-law tried to help upon hearing screams, but Robinson reversed the car abruptly, hitting Plessy and causing her death.
Robinson and Cottrell admitted to manslaughter charges, thus avoiding trial for second-degree murder. Robinson was sentenced to 30 years in prison, while Cottrell received a 12-year prison term.
Cottrell and Robinson also admitted to charges of attempted second-degree murder, two counts of obstruction of justice, conspiracy to obstruct justice, simple robbery, conspiracy to commit simple robbery, and unauthorized use of movable property.
Currently, federal immigration officials are set to enter New Orleans to conduct the “Swamp Sweep” operation. Plessy’s daughter, Nadia Sanchez, told Fox News Digital that she believes the city has failed to control violent crime.
Sanchez stated, “The city government and elected officials have not taken necessary measures, they have not paid sufficient attention to the issue of crime, their focus has been on other priorities, mainly tourism, while residents and their demands have been neglected, and the city’s approach to addressing crime has not seen significant changes.”
She added, “People haven’t paid much attention to the victims and their experiences of victimization, but people are experiencing the consequences of crime every day.”
She is unsure if federal intervention will solve New Orleans’ crime problems, but emphasized that city officials need to prioritize public safety.
The “Swamp Sweep” operation is expected to commence in early December.
Louisiana Republican Governor Jeff Landry stated that he has been working with federal officials to address immigration and crime issues.
Landry told Fox News, “There has been illegal criminal activity and illegal immigration activity in New Orleans and surrounding areas, Police Chief Conley of Kenner, in the suburbs of New Orleans, has been experiencing issues of violent crimes committed by illegal immigrants in his jurisdiction and has been working with the federal government to combat this criminal activity.”
On August 15, a federal grand jury indicted New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell on charges of wire fraud, conspiracy to obstruct justice, making false statements, obstructing justice, and perjury to the grand jury.
Her personal bodyguard, Jeffrey Vappie, who previously worked for the New Orleans Police Department, was charged with wire fraud and making false statements in the summer of 2024.
On New Year’s Day 2025, a truck driven by a Texas veteran plowed into a crowd celebrating in downtown New Orleans, resulting in the deaths of 14 people and injuring over 30, before being shot dead in a confrontation with the police.
Upon being elected president, Trump immediately stated, “When I say that criminal immigrants are much worse than our country’s criminals, my words are constantly refuted by Democrats and fake news media, but the fact is proving this to be true… Our country’s crime rate has reached unprecedented levels.”
(This article referenced reports by FOX NEWS)